Choice is the Key

Choice is the key

and we really don't have any choice in the current system. The dems and reps really aren't that much different and since the system is controlled by corporate money which ever party gets in things aren't going to change much.
Another problem with a two party system is that regardless of who wins or loses, there's one winner and the other group is a loser. So the winner claims that they have a "mandate" to implement their ideas regardless of how slim their margin of victory was.

IF there was a multi party system then political parties would be forced to work together, form alliances, cooperate and compromise to get things done, and the result would probably be more to the liking of more people.
The current system is broken and doesn't work. The main point is that decisions and choices need to be made based on what is the right thing to do and what is the best choice for the long term and NOT what is going to make the most people the most profit the soonest

Obviously, I'm bitter and jaded. It bothers me that it appears that my only viable options are to turn off, tune out, and drop out. It feels like giving up.

We should try to be positive and just bitching isn't accomplishing much, on the other hand it all does seem a bit hopeless, big money is very entrenched in the current system and they like it and they make a lot of money from it, so they are going to be very very opposed to ever letting the system be changed.

I think we do need stay positive and be productive, I just don't believe that voting or being involved in government or politics falls into that category.
I believe we need to concentrate on local communities and ignore government when and where we can. I'm not advocating anarchy in any way, what I believe we need is community and not government.